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Cinco De Mayo Really About and What Exactly Are We Celebraɵng?

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Cinco De Mayo Really About and What Exactly Are We Celebraɵng? RADIOLOGY Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program What is Cinco de Mayo really about and what exactly are we celebraƟng? What is Cinco de Mayo? Cinco de Mayo commemorates the historical event know as the Battle of Puebla fought in How did the United States benefit from 1862, the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France. It is also known as the Battle of the Battle of Puebla? Puebla Day. One of the interests Napoleon had in creating a pup- Following the Reform War (Mexican Civil pet government in Mexico was to be able to provide War), Mexican President Benito Juárez Gar- guns to the Confederacy in exchange for Southern cia did not have sufficient funds to make pay- cotton, which was scarce due to the Union shipping ments on Mexican debts to foreign govern- blockages during the war. Since Mexico had won a ments. In July 1861 President Benito Juarez great victory against France, it helped keep France issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt from supplying the confederate rebels for another payments be suspended for two years. Due to this, Mexico was then invaded by Britain, year during the U.S. Civil War. These 12 months France and Spain who sought repayment of were crucial to the Union Army’s efforts to build up the outstanding debts. the Army and eventually win against the Confederate soldiers at Gettysburg, 14 months after the Battle of The United Kingdom and Spain signed trea- Puebla. Once the U.S. Civil War was over, Union ties with Mexico and peacefully withdrew and returned home. However, French Emperor forces were sent to the Texas/Mexican border to pro- Napoleon III did not withdraw, he seized the vide political and military assistance to Mexico to ex- opportunity to establish an empire that would pel the French. favor French interests. In late 1861 France stormed Veracruz with the intent to move on The next time you celebrate Cinco de Mayo remem- to Mexico City. On May 5th 1862, enroute to ber what it also meant to the United States. What Mexico City, the French encountered re- would have happened had the French won the Battle sistance in Puebla. The Mexican army used of Puebla? How would it have affected the U.S. Civil many peasants, most not trained to fight as War had France continued to supply the Confederate soldiers. Their pride gave them the courage and strength to fight for their country. The Army? Would it have affected the outcome of the battle lasted from daybreak to early evening civil war? Could Napoleon have invaded a war torn and was successful. The French army, U.S. once he built his empire in Mexico? known as one of the best in the world at the time, retreated after a loss of nearly 500 sol- Cinco de Mayo is a date that deserves to be honored, diers. This was a large morale boost for Mexi- recognized, and remembered by both Mexican and co, which had fewer soldiers and military re- Americans. It should also be remembered as neigh- sources than France and represented a great bors helping each other out in a time of need. symbolic victor. Although it was a battle won, it still was a war lost. Cinco de Mayo in Mexico Days after the Battle of Puebla, President Juarez announced the anniversary of the battle would become a national holiday. Despite his declaration, Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday and most of Mexico does not celebrate it. The United States celebrates the holiday more than Mexico does. Celebrations in Mexico are around the State of Puebla where the battle took place and is considered a major annual event. It is also a full holiday in the neighboring State of Veracruz. Historical reenactments of the battle, parades, art festivals and meals with local cui- sine are all part of the celebration in Puebla. Puebla also hosts the International Mole Festival during Cinco de Mayo festivities. Puebla has extended the celebration to nearly 20 days of cultural arts with concerts, dance exhibitions and theatrical per- formances that take place in the days leading up to, and on, May 5. Mexican Independence Day ? Cinco de Mayo is oen misidenfied as Mexican Independence Day. Mexican Independence Day is on September 16th and much more celebrang is done in Mexico for this holiday. RADIOLOGY Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Cinco de Mayo in the United States HISTORIC In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. More popularly cele- brated in the United States than Mexico, these celebraons began in California and Nevada in 1862. The crical ming of the French defeat at the first Bale of Puebla was not lost on Mexican-Americans and other Lanos living in California during 1862. California Lanos were ardent Union supporters. When their home countries won independence from Spain, they had unilaterally abolished slavery and established ci- zenship for non-whites. Now living in California, a free state, they saw the pro-slavery Confederacy as an existenal threat. In California and Nevada, Lanos gathered in Juntas Patriócas (“Patrioc Assemblies”) to celebrate both the surprise victory at Puebla and what it meant for the Union cause. With 129 locaons and 14,000 mem- bers in California alone, these Juntas Patriócas started meeng monthly in 1862. Over the course of the Civil War and the French occupaon of Mexico City members of the Juntas Patriócas paid dues as high as $100 a month to support the war effort on both sides of the border. On Cinco de Mayo, there would be pa- rades in the streets carrying the Mexican and American flags and the assembled crowds would sing The Star ‐Spangled Banner in English and When Johnny Comes Marching Home in Spanish. This was the start of the U.S. celebraon of Cinco de Mayo. TODAY Cinco de Mayo is a celebraon of Mexican-American culture and heritage parcularly in areas with strong Mexican American populaons. In Los Angeles, the tradion of celebrang Cinco de Mayo has connued without interrupon since 1862, although the original reason and the history may have goen lost. In the 1960s during the Chicano movement (aka Chicano Civil Rights or El Movimiento) acvists began look- ing for a way to honor their history and culture. They purposely idenfied and adopted the Bale of Puebla and May 5th as their day to celebrate. It was an important symbol and cultural pride along with social soli- darity of the Mexican American community with Mexico’s past. In the 1980s the celebraons became com- mercialized to what we know today with beer, tacos and margaritas. For those who parcipated in the Chi- cano Movement the celebraon of Cinco de Mayo means so much more than an excuse for a fiesta. It isn’t all about tacos and margaritas. Let’s take the opportunity to educate, inform and inspire each other. Celebrang the spirit of cour- age, strength, self-determinaon and the hard fought victory against all odds. Reflect on the friendship and sacrifices Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have made to build and sustain this country and their important place in the history of the United States. We need to recognize that since 1848 our freedom and liberty in North America was fought for and won collecvely by Mexi- cans, Mexican Americans and Americans. This is the true meaning and spirit of the Cinco de Mayo. RADIOLOGY Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Ways to Mindfully Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: 1. Share the Real Story! Many Americans are quick to celebrate by eang tacos and drinking margaritas. Take a few minutes to share the real story and the cultural sig- nificance of the celebraon. Changing stereotypes starts with us. 2. Support Mexican Businesses. Instead of going to a chain restaurant offering Cinco de Mayo deals, try a local Mexican owned business. The celebraon isn’t just about food, expand your opons to include other businesses like vising a Mexican poery store. Talavery poery is a style that originated in Puebla. 3. Support the Mexican Arts and visit a museum that celebrates Mexican history and culture. 4. Okay, Back to the Food - Try ordering a Mexican dish that originates from the State of Puebla “Mole Poblano” or something made with poblano chilies. .
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